To ensure that the licensing exams reflect important changes in social work practices and standards that take place over time, The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) periodically updates their licensing exams. In December of 2022, the ASWB announced three updates - released as testing enhancements - that will affect the Bachelor, Masters, and Clinical level social work exams beginning January 2023.
In this post, we’ll go over each of the three updates so that you can best prepare for the exam and know what to expect on test day.
Plan on a Mix of Three-Option Multiple Choice Questions
With the purpose of supporting a more positive exam experience, the exam will now feature a mix of three-option and four-option multiple choice questions. This should provide a less stressful experience for test takers by allowing candidates to focus more on exam knowledge and not as much on time pressure.
Worried about this change? Don’t be. Although this seems like a big update, the addition of three-option multiple choice questions should improve the test experience. There will be one less answer option to read through and the chances of selecting the correct answer will increase by 25%!
Let’s take a few minutes to look at how the three-option multiple choice update might affect how you would answer a practice question:
Question 1: A 4-year-old child struggles in preschool academically and socially. Identify the psychosocial stage that BEST describes the child's behavior, according to Erik Erikson.
a. Trust vs. Mistrust
b. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
c. Identity vs. Confusion
d. Initiative vs. Guilt
Let’s take this same question and remove an answer option to make it a 3-answer choice question.
A 4-year-old child struggles in preschool academically and socially. Identify the psychosocial stage that BEST describes the child's behavior, according to Erik Erikson.
a. Trust vs. Mistrust
b. Identity vs. Confusion
c. Initiative vs. Guilt
All of the answer choices are a developmental stage identified by Erik Erikson. Even if you can’t recall the ages that are associated with each stage, you can likely begin by eliminating Identity vs. Confusion as that sounds much more associated with adolescence. With only three answer options, you’re now left with two options and have a higher chance of guessing correctly. Initiative vs. Guilt accurately identifies Erikson's psychosocial stage, as the child fits the age range of 3 to 5 years, and it also describes the psychosocial task/crisis for this stage.
Now, let’s look at a second question.
Question 2: When considering disclosing personal information to a client in treatment, what should a social worker consider FIRST?
a. If the sharing of personal information will help the client in giving informed consent.
b. If the sharing of personal information is beneficial to treatment.
c. If the sharing of personal information could harm the client in any way.
d. If the sharing of personal information could lead to a lawsuit.
Let’s take this same question and remove an answer option to make it a 3-answer choice question.
When considering disclosing personal information to a client in treatment, what should a social worker consider FIRST?
a. If the sharing of personal information will help the client in giving informed consent.
b. If the sharing of personal information is beneficial to treatment.
c. If the sharing of personal information could harm the client in any way.
Although it’s important to consider all of these options when a social worker is considering disclosing personal information to a client, the question asks what you should do first. This keyword is helpful in eliminating options. When considering sharing personal information with a client, a social worker should always consider first if this sharing could harm the client in any way.
You Can Now Access Food During the Exam
The second ASWB exam change is regarding access to snacks during the exam. The ASWB has also modified their previous policy on allowing access to snacks during the exam. As of January 2023, test takers can now retrieve snacks from their locker during the exam. The snack must be consumed outside of the test room in the waiting area before returning to resume your exam. An additional important note regarding this update is that the exam timer will not stop during any breaks.
You Will No Longer Need to Use Cell-Phone Bags
The last ASWB exam update is regarding a change to a cell phone security measure that previously affected test takers. Prior to January 2023, candidates were required to place their cellphones in a secure bag in their lockers. Now, candidates need only place their powered-down device in their locker and no longer need to secure their devices in a cell-phone bag.
At Gerry Grossman Seminars, we offer the best-in-class exam prep that has helped tens of thousands of students attain and maintain their licenses since 1985. You can find up-to-date and comprehensive clinical exam study materials here.
